The only hurdle in front of NYCFC for the rest of 2026 is NYCFC

Ninth place. 33 points. Seven games to go. These are the numbers that might strike fear in the heart of New York City FC fans, and rightfully so. The prospect of making the MLS Cup Playoffs feels farther away than ever before, and it does not help that the Pigeons have only won three times in Major League Soccer since the World Cup break.

The 3-4-5 record since then is not good enough. But like the entire 2026 season, NYCFC has lost multiple points due to their own misdoings. Countless mistakes and the inability to hold on to wins or draws are two aspects that are a major part of the story as to why the Bronx side sits in ninth place. As such, even with a tough schedule to end the year, the main hurdle the players must overcome is themselves.

Only NYCFC will keep NYCFC from making the postseason

That is probably why the writing staff at MLS mentioned NYCFC after their Atlanta United FC draw and how that result might come back to haunt them. That is not the only match, as there are multiple that would likely come back to haunt the Boys in Blue on Decision Day. And they mentioned that end-of-the-year schedule.

Sure, there is no doubt that NYCFC will lose some of their upcoming games. Take away the mistakes, and the Bronx side would be higher up the table. But the injuries have influenced the season as well, meaning that the team would likely be in fourth through sixth place, give or take. But if the players can overcome the hurdle of themselves, then maybe the team will stay in a playoff spot.

But how can NYCFC stop making mistakes? How can they hold on to matches where they have the lead? The easy argument is that the team needs to clean up the small things and play a clean game. But the problem at hand is that these issues have not been fixed at all. It has been a recurring chapter in the 2026 story.

One might argue that having a healthier squad will make the difference. That would help with depth, but even the leaders and best players on the roster have contributed to a season of self-inflicted wounds. Look at what happened to James Sands during the Hudson River Derby loss. The Pigeons played well, but his lone mistake of making a poor pass resulted in a 1-0 home loss.

On paper, it is easy to say that NYCFC can make the playoffs if they overcome the biggest hurdle: themselves. But the question is this: can they fix these mistakes with seven more matches? Truthfully, the answer is no. The answer is clear, but the fix feels impossible at this point.

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